Show and Tell Monday...Who's Your Hero??

One of my neighbor's just got an award for "Hero of the Year" and he has the t-shirt to prove it! Here is his story:

Inka has asked me to write a little about becoming a stem cell donor. Back in 1992, while stationed in California, I signed up to become a bone marrow donor. Figuring the odds, I never thought I would be called to donate. Boy was I wrong. In 2006 I was contacted by the Department of Defense Marrow Program to see if I was still interested. I said yes and was subjected to further blood work. Was told that I was a match and that they just did not need me yet. Anybody that has been in the military knows the phrase – hurry up and wait. So wait I did. So much so that I had forgotten about it. Received a call in November 2007 saying that they needed me as soon as possible. In December I flew to Baltimore, Maryland for a physical to see if I was still eligible. Due to my situation I was not able to donate until the first of this year. January 3rd I was flow back to Baltimore to begin the donation process. It required that I take shots for 5 days so that my body would produce more stem cells than normal. (Research has found that a stem cell donation can be as effective as the old “drill in the hip” bone marrow donation and less invasive for both the donor and the recipient.) I gave the donation on the 8th and was back in Florida on the 9th in time for my graveyard shift at the Post Office.

During the course of this whole evolution I have found that my recipient, whom I do not know yet (they keep identifications anonymous for 1 year) has been doing well. We can correspond, but only as recipient and donor – no names. The letters are screened through the donation centers involved to maintain the anonymity. I have found out that, due to his illness, his immune system had to literally be destroyed to accept my stem cells. This left him at an in home quarantine until such time that his body can handle it. If all goes as I have heard, he should be able to get back to somewhat of a normal life on July 1st.
Having not seen a friend or family member go through an illness as this, I cannot fathom the pain they have endured or the joy they must be feeling. To me it was just doing the right thing.

I have also been recognized by one of the veteran’s groups that I belong to as their “Hero of the Year” (or HOTY as I say it). The award was from the state level and puts me in the running for the National level.

In closing, all I can say is that anyone who may be slightly interested in becoming a donor to visit the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) website. You can type in NMDP on your browser and it will get you there. Of the people needing donors. Only about 30 % can rely on a family member. Otherwise they need people like us to help. After all, in this thing called life – We’re All In This Together (my personal motto that I live by).

Thank You,
Steve Evers

Yes sir...I am very blessed to live in this neighborhood. Thank you Steve for your wonderful story and all that you do to help others. Your are a good friend and I am proud to know you.

Inka